Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Concludes US Tour With Visit To National Civil Rights Museum

On the final day of his US tour, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, where he celebrated the contributions of the Indian diaspora and underscored their role as a “living bridge” between India and the United States.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh praised the Indian community’s achievements, stating, “Had a wonderful interaction with the Indian community at Memphis. Their contribution to society, science, and the economy has been exemplary.”

During his visit on Sunday, Singh engaged with Indian community members from Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, and surrounding areas. He lauded their significant impact across various sectors and highlighted their efforts in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.

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Singh also commended the community’s initiatives, including the establishment of a Mahatma Gandhi exhibit and the installation of honorary ‘Gandhi Way’ street signs near the museum in 2019, commemorating Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The National Civil Rights Museum, which chronicles the history of the civil rights movement in the US, is located on the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968 and includes a bust of Gandhi to honor his influence on non-violent resistance.

Testing Submarines

In addition to the museum visit, Singh toured the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center earlier in the day. The LCC, a facility used for testing submarines, torpedoes, and naval surface ships, drew Singh’s interest as India considers establishing similar facilities domestically.

The Defence Minister was accompanied by Indian Ambassador to the US, the Director General of the Indian Navy, and defence technology advisors from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). US Navy officials, including the Deputy Under Secretary, Commander, and Technical Director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, joined the group and provided detailed insights into the center’s operations.

Explore Potential Collaborations

Singh’s visit to the LCC aimed to explore potential collaborations between India and the US, focusing on advanced testing facilities and indigenous development.

Throughout his four-day visit to Washington, which was hosted by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Singh also met with major US defence industry leaders from companies such as Boeing, GE, General Atomics, General Dynamics Land Systems, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Rolls-Royce, and Thales. These meetings underscored the expanding defence cooperation between India and the US.

Additionally, Singh held a high-level roundtable discussion with the US defence industry and engaged in bilateral talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, all aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United States.